Activity Report of Open Application Program 2021 vol.18 (Online)
Japan−China Online Exchange Meeting on the Theme of Animation Production in Japan
Report from Kobe Institute of Computing
With the support of the Sakura Science Exchange Program, the Kobe Institute of Computing held an online exchange meeting with Hebei Foreign Studies University on the theme of "Animation production in Japan" for five days from January 17, 2022. Having affiliated with Hebei Foreign Studies University in 2018, we have been developing exchanges by accepting foreign students from the university.
Originally, we were planning to invite students from the Hebei Foreign Studies University, but since the COVID−19 situation did not seem under control, we held an online exchange meeting instead. Ten students from the Department of Digital Animation and ten students from the Hebei Foreign Studies University participated in the exchange, and several other students who were interested in this exchange theme also joined as visitors.
On the first day, after the opening address by the two school principals, the five−day exchange schedule and the work creating tasks were explained to both of the students.
On the second day, Dean Doi of the Department of Digital Animation, gave a lecture on Japanese hand−drawn animation with demonstrations. There were many questions from the students of the Hebei Foreign Studies University. We also heard from the visitors who were not majoring in animation that the explanation was very easy to understand.
On the third day, Mr. Komiya, representative of Kyoto Studio of Graphinica. Inc., introduced the interior of the five studios including the Shinjuku Studio Headquarter, and held a seminar about the camerawork in the animation production using actual cases.
On the fourth day, both schools made a presentation of their works. Students of the Hebei Foreign Studies University presented three works about issues that human beings are currently facing. ■ "Star children" depicting children with autism, ■ "The sound of the battlefield," depicting the enjoyment of peace, and ■ "Green under the sun," depicting the act of protecting the global environment. Our students presented three Japanese traditional animations. ■ "The night sky of the summer/Next to you," depicting the encounter between a fox fairy and a high school student ■ "RESELLER HUNTER," depicting a battle against a reseller of the Gungal plastic model, and ■ "The Bride of Necro," depicting a witch trial for reviving the dead. After the presentation, students from both schools voted for outstanding works. "The sound of the battlefield" and "The night sky of the summer/Next to you" were selected as excellent works.
On the final day, we rerun the two films selected by the vote and shared the opinions of the students who participated in the exchange meeting. Dean Doi gave overall reviews. The student work of the Hebei Foreign Studies University received a good review saying that "There were no words, but it was very good that the author conveyed what he wanted to convey to the audience by pictures and sounds." The student work of the Kobe Institute of Computing, Drawing was off course great. By collaborating beyond the department, Students made the dubbing and the background music perfect by themselves, which received high reviews. There were many opinions that they would like to work with Japanese students in Japan, the home of animation, when COVID−19 situation becomes under control and people are able to start to travel freely.
(The sound of the battlefield)
(The night sky of the summer/Next to you)
This exchange meeting, on the theme of animation production in Japan, has deepened the exchange between the two schools, strengthened their friendship each other, and spread Japanese animation culture overseas. Finally, I would like to thank JST for providing great support for the exchange event. We also sincerely hope that we can hold an in−person program next time.